Tarp system

ABSTRACT

A tarp system includes a flexible tarp for covering a structure, the flexible tarp having a top surface, a bottom surface and having a peripheral edge, and a set of first connector portions located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located internal to the periphery edge of the flexible tarp and configured to engage with a second connector portion located on one of a plurality of bladders. The tarp system further can include a plurality of bladders configured to be releasably located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and configured for retention of a ballast fluid to provide weighted anchorage for the tarp system on the structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The field of the invention generally relates to tarp systems and components for covering items and materials typically located outdoors, and more particularly to a tarp system that include ballast fluid fillable bladders, to prevent water intrusion, and provide shelter.

Description of the Related Art

The use of a tarp system is important in many applications. Tarps of flexible plastic sheeting or fabric such as canvas are used to temporarily cover material piles or damaged roof structures. While current roof tarps, if installed correctly, can substantially reduce the entry of wind and rain, they have a number of disadvantages. For example, prior art tarps are typically secured by anchor ropes or bungee cords passing through grommets along the periphery of the tarp. In addition, there is the labor involved in fitting and securing the ropes or cords with the twisting and pulling action of the wind and/or the weight of storm water buildup on the tarp often causes the grommets to pull out which releases the tarp.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to tarp systems and provide a novel and non-obvious tarp system adapted for providing various types of tarp systems. In one embodiment of the invention, the tarp system includes a flexible tarp for covering a structure, the flexible tarp having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, and a set of first connector portions located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located internal to the periphery edge of the flexible tarp and configured to engage with a second connector portion located on one of a plurality of bladders. The tarp system further can include a plurality of bladders configured to be releasably located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and configured for retention of a ballast fluid to provide weighted anchorage for the tarp system on the structure.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tarp system includes a flexible tarp for covering a structure, the flexible tarp having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, and a set of connectors located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located internal to the periphery edge of the flexible tarp and where one of the connectors is configured to receive one of a plurality of bladders. In one aspect of the embodiment, the tarp system further can include a plurality of bladders configured to be releasably located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and configured for retention of a ballast fluid to provide weighted anchorage for the tarp system on the structure. In another aspect of the embodiment, the set of connectors on the top surface of the flexible tarp are a set of loops configured to receive one of the plurality of bladders.

In another embodiment of the invention, a set of connectors includes a type of fastening tape (e.g., Velcro®) comprised of opposing pieces of fabric, one piece with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks and the other with a dense nylon pile, that interlock when pressed together to form a connection between two objects. Hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners or touch fasteners consist of two components typically, two lineal fabric strips which are attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component features tiny hooks, the second features smaller loops.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tarp system includes a flexible tarp for covering a structure, where the flexible tarp has a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, the flexible tarp is rectangular and has four edges, the edges being two sets of two opposite edges and a set of first connector portions located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located on the periphery edge of the flexible tarp, and wherein one of the first connector portions is configured to interlock with one of a second connector portions located on an edge of one of a plurality of bladders.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a roll tarp system constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a fluid bladder or dam used in a tarp system and assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the roll tarp system of FIG. 1, where the tarp is in a rolled up position and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tarp system with a bladder around the periphery of the tarp and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed across the tarp and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed at the sides of the tarp and connected to the sides of the tarp by a plurality of connectors and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed at the sides of the tarp and connected to the sides of the tap by a plurality of fasteners and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed along the periphery of the tarp and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed along the center of the tarp with grommets at the four corners and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of retaining loops distributed along the periphery of the tarp and configured to receive a plurality of bladders and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a bladder configured to be placed in the plurality of retaining loops of the tarp system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the tarp system with a series of bladders around the periphery of the tarp and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to tarp systems and provide a novel and non-obvious tarp system adapted for providing various types of tarp systems. In one embodiment of the invention, a tarp system includes a flexible tarp that has a top layer connected to a bottom layer along its respective side edges to form a large bladder that is configured to receive a ballast fluid (e.g., water or antifreeze) via a spigot connector with a release valve.

FIG. 1 illustrates a roll tarp system 100 constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, roll tarp system 100 can include a flexible tarp 102 that has a top layer 104 connected to a bottom layer 106 along its respective side edges 108, 110, 122, 124. In this manner, the flexible tarp 102 forms a large bladder that is configured to receive a ballast fluid (e.g., water or antifreeze) via a spigot connector 130 with a release valve 132. In this embodiment, there is no need to use separate fluid bladders or dams or bags as the flexible tarp 102 forms a large bladder. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a rectangular tarp, the flexible tarp 102 can also be a circle, a triangle or other geometrically shape.

In different embodiments, the roll tarp system 100 can include a flexible tarp 102 that has single layer 104. In this embodiment the flexible tarp 102 includes a set of connector portions 112, 114, 116, 118, positioned internal to the periphery of the top surface 105 of flexible tarp 102. In this embodiment, the set of connector portions 112, 114, 116, 118, can be positioned adjacent to or in close proximity to the peripheral edges of the top surface 105 of flexible tarp 102. In other embodiments, the set of connector portions 112, 114, 116, 118, can be positioned at a larger distance from the peripheral edges of the top surface 105 of flexible tarp 102. The set of connector portions 112, 114, 116, 118, can be a type of fastening tape (e.g., Velcro®) comprised of opposing pieces of fabric, one piece with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks (e.g., a male portion) and the other with a dense nylon pile (e.g., a female portion), that interlock when pressed together to form a connection between two objects. In this embodiment, the male portion 112, 114, 116, 118 can be on the top surface 105 of the flexible tarp 102 and the female portion 160 can be on the bottom surface 152 of the fluid bladders or dams 150. Consequently, the fluid bladders 150 can be secured to the periphery of the flexible tarp 102. In another embodiment, a central portion 107 of the top surface 105 of the flexible tarp 102 can further include one or more connector portions 120 positioned thereof. In this embodiment, the male portion 120 can be position on the central portion 107 of the top surface 105 of the flexible tarp 102 and the female portion 160 can be on the bottom surface of the fluid bladders or dams 150. In this way, the fluid bladders 150 can be secured to the periphery of the flexible tarp 102.

In another embodiment of the invention, a set of connectors includes a type of fastening tape (e.g., Velcro®) comprised of opposing pieces of fabric, one piece with a dense arrangement of tiny nylon hooks and the other with a dense nylon pile, that interlock when pressed together to form a connection between two objects. Hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners or touch fasteners consist of two components typically, two lineal fabric strips which are attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component features tiny hooks, the second features smaller loops.

The flexible tarp 102 may be composed of numerous materials including plastic. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) thermoplastic, nylon, rubber, rubberoid, vinyl canvas, polyester, polyethylene, mesh and the like. The flexible tarp 102 may be of various sizes including 10 feet×10 feet, 10 feet×20 feet, 20 feet×20 feet, 20 feet×30 feet, 20 feet×40 feet, 30 feet×30 feet, 30 feet×40 feet, and 30 feet×50 feet. Of course, in this regard the size of flexible tarp 102 can have any dimensions desired.

FIG. 2 provides a top view of a fluid bladder or dam 150 used in the roll tarp system 100. The fluid bladder 150 of the example embodiment includes the following components: a flexible bladder 152, fluid fill spigot 154, release valve 156 and connector portion 160. As discussed with respect to an embodiment of the roll tarp system 100 of FIG. 1, the fluid bladder 150 can be connected to the flexible tarp 102 by connector portions 112, 114, 116, 118 and connector portion 160. In another embodiment, the fluid bladder 150 can simply be placed or positioned on the top surface of the flexible tarp 102. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of detachable handles 170 can be used to deploy the roll tarp 100. In an embodiment, access water out spigot would be in case of any type of inspection or if you would need to remove the tarp you can use the same to remove the water from the bladder.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tarp system with a bladder around the periphery of the tarp of the present invention. Tarp system 200 has flexible tarp 202 that includes a first side 216 opposite a second side 218 and a third side 220 opposite a fourth side 222. There are two bladders 204, 206 that are located along the inside periphery of flexible tarp 202. Each of the bladders 204, 206 can include at least 2 spigots for easy access. Spigots 208, 212 can be used to fill the bladders 204, 206, while spigots 210, 214 can be used to empty the bladders 204, 206. Alternatively, the filling spigots 208, 212 and emptying spigots 210, 214 can be reversed. Similar to the spigots of FIG. 1, the spigots of FIG. 4 can be comprised of a spigot connector and a release valve. In one embodiment, the two bladders 204, 206 are integrated with the flexible tarp 202. In another embodiment, the two bladders 204, 206 are detachable from the flexible tarp 202.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a tarp system a plurality of bladders distributed across the tarp in accordance of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of bladders 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 can be spaced across the top surface of the flexible tarp 302. Tarp system 300 has flexible tarp 302 that includes a first side 320 opposite a second side 318 and a third side 319 opposite a fourth side 321. Spigots 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, and 334 can be used to fill the plurality of bladders 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316, as well as be used to empty the plurality of bladders 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316. Similar to the spigots of FIGS. 1 and 4, the spigots of FIG. 5 can be comprised of a spigot connector and a release valve. In one embodiment, the plurality of bladders 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 are integrated with the flexible tarp 302. In another embodiment, the plurality of bladders 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 are detachable from the flexible tarp 302.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed at the sides of the tarp and connected to the sides of the tarp by a plurality of connectors. As illustrated in FIG. 6, tarp system 600 has flexible tarp 602 that includes a first side 604 opposite a second side 606 and a top side 608 opposite a bottom side 610. There are four bladders 612, 614, 616, 618 that are located along the first side 604, second side 606, top side 608 and bottom side 610 of flexible tarp 602. In this embodiment, the flexible tarp 602 can include a plurality of grommets 620 located about the periphery of the flexible tarp 602. Each of the four bladders 612, 614, 616, 618 can include a plurality of grommets 622 located along one edge. In one embodiment, each of the four bladders 612, 614, 616, 618 can be attached to the flexible tarp 602 by a rope, string or bungee cord 624 (and the like). This advantageously allows the user to fill the four bladders 604, 606, 608, 610 either before or after deploying the tarp system 600. The four detachable bladders 612, 614, 616, 618 can include spigots 650 comprised of a spigot connector 652 and a release valve 654.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders distributed at the sides of the tarp and connected to the sides of the tarp by a plurality of connectors. As illustrated in FIG. 7, tarp system 700 has flexible tarp 702 that includes a first side 704 opposite a second side 706 and a top side 708 opposite a bottom side 710. There are four detachable/removable bladders 712, 714, 716, 718, each of the bladders having an inner edge 713, 715, 717, 719, respectively, where each of the four detachable/removable bladders 712, 714, 716, 718 are located along the first side 704, second side 706, top side 708 and bottom side 710 of flexible tarp 702. In this embodiment, the flexible tarp 702 can include a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners or touch fasteners 720. The plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 720 comprise two components typically, two lineal fabric strips which are attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component features tiny hooks, while the second features smaller loops. As such, one component of the plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 720 are located about the periphery of the flexible tarp 702. In this embodiment, each of the four bladders 712, 714, 716, 718 have the first component feature of tiny hooks that are attached to a surface of each of the four bladders 712, 714, 716, 718 and which in turn are compressed with the second feature of smaller loops that attached to the top surface of the flexible tarp 702 to form the plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 720. This advantageously allows the user to fill the four bladders 712, 714, 716, 718 either before or after deploying the tarp system 700. The four detachable four bladders 712, 714, 716, 718 can include spigots 750 comprised of a spigot connector 752 and a release valve 754. In other embodiments, the spigot 750 does not include a separate release valve.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the tarp system 800 with a plurality of bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826 distributed along the periphery of the tarp 802 and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8, tarp system 800 has flexible tarp 802 that includes a first side 804 opposite a second side 806 and a top side 808 opposite a bottom side 810. There are eight detachable or removable bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, that are located along the first side 804, second side 806, top side 808 and bottom side 810 of flexible tarp 802. In this embodiment, the bladders have two shapes, a half circle and a quarter circle. Of course, the bladders can also have various other shapes such as a full circle, a square, a rectangular and the like. In this embodiment, the flexible tarp 802 can include a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners or touch fasteners 830. The plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 830 comprise two components typically, two lineal fabric strips which are attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first component features tiny hooks, while the second features smaller loops. As such, one component of the plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 830 are located about the periphery at the corners and mid-points of the flexible tarp 802. In this embodiment, each of the eight bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826 have the first component feature of tiny hooks that are attached to a surface of each of the eight bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826 and which in turn are compressed with the second feature of smaller loops that attached to the top surface of the flexible tarp 802 to form the plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 830. This advantageously allows the user to fill the eight bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826 either before or after deploying the tarp system 800. The eight detachable bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826 can include spigots 850 comprised of a spigot connector 852 and a release valve 854. In other embodiments, the spigot 850 does not include a separate release valve. In another embodiment, the eight bladders 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826 can be integrated into the flexible tarp 802.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of bladders 912, 914 distributed along the center portion of the tarp with grommets at the four corners and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9, tarp system 900 has flexible tarp 902 that includes a first side 904 opposite a second side 906 and a top end 908 opposite a bottom end 910. In this embodiment, the first bladder 912 is located at the center of top end 908 and bottom end 910 of flexible tarp 902. The second bladder is located at the center of the first side 904 and second side 906 of flexible tarp 902 and forms a cross-like structure on the flexible tarp 902. In this embodiment, a plurality of grommets 950 can be attached to the four corners of the flexible tarp 902. In this embodiment, a set of strings, ropes and/or cords 932 can be attached to the plurality of grommets 950 to help secure the flexible tarp 902 to a roof, piece of equipment and the like. The bladders 912, 914 include spigots 850 comprised of a spigot connector 852 and a release valve 854. In other embodiments, the spigot 850 does not include a separate release valve.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the tarp system with a plurality of retaining loops distributed along the periphery of the tarp and configured to receive a plurality of bladders/tubes and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 10, tarp system 1000 has flexible tarp 1002 that includes a first side 1004 opposite a second side 1006 and a top end 1010 opposite a bottom end 1008. A plurality of loops 1020 are disposed on the top surface of the flexible tarp 1002. In an embodiment, the plurality of loops 1020 on placed along the periphery of the flexible tarp 1002. In this embodiment, three loops 1020 are placed along each edge of the four ends of the flexible tarp 1002. The three loops 1020 can be arranged in a line to receive a bladder/cylinder 1100 (shown in FIG. 11).

FIG. 11 is a top view of a bladder configured to be placed in the plurality of retaining loops of the tarp system of FIG. 10. The bladder/cylinder 1100 can have a first end 1102 and a second end 1104. In this embodiment, the bladder/cylinder 1100 can include spigot 1130 comprised of a spigot connector 1132 and a release valve 1134. In other embodiments, the spigot 1130 does not include a separate release valve. In use the bladder/cylinder 1100 is placed into a series of loops 1020 to secure the bladder/cylinder 1100 to the flexible tarp 1002.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the tarp system with a series of bladders around the periphery of the tarp and constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Tarp system 1200 has flexible tarp 1202 that includes a first side 1222 opposite a second side 1224 and a third side 1220 opposite a fourth side 1226. There are four bladders 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210 that are located along the inside periphery of flexible tarp 1202. Each of the bladders 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210 can include at least one spigot for easy access. Spigots 1212, 1214, 1216, 1218 can be used to fill and to empty the bladders 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210. Similar to the spigots of FIG. 1, the spigots of FIG. 1216 can be comprised of a spigot connector and a release valve. In one embodiment, the four bladders 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210 are integrated with the flexible tarp 1202. In another embodiment, the four bladders 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210 are detachable from the flexible tarp 1202.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”. “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising.” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, but the invention is not limited only to the particular constructions disclosed and shown in the drawings as examples, and also comprises the subject matter and such reasonable modifications or equivalents as are encompassed within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tarp system comprising: a flexible tarp for covering a structure, the flexible tarp having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge; a set of first connector portions located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located internal to the periphery edge of the flexible tarp; and wherein one of the first connector portions is configured to interlock with one of a second connector portions located on one of a plurality of bladders.
 2. The tarp system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of bladders configured to be releasably located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and configured for retention of a ballast fluid to provide weighted anchorage for the tarp system on the structure.
 3. The tarp system of claim 2, wherein the flexible tarp is rectangular and has four edges, the edges being two sets of two opposite edges.
 4. The tarp system of claim 2, further comprising a second set of first connector portions located on a central portion of the top surface of the flexible tarp.
 5. The tarp system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of bladders includes at least one spigot for filling and emptying each of the plurality of bladders.
 6. The tarp system of claim 5, wherein the at least one spigot includes a spigot connector and a release valve.
 7. The tarp system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of bladders include a second connector portion located on one of the plurality of bladders and configured to interlock with one of the first connector portions.
 8. A tarp system comprising: a flexible tarp for covering a structure, the flexible tarp having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge; a set of connectors located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located internal to the periphery edge of the flexible tarp; and wherein one of the connectors is configured to receive one of a plurality of bladders.
 9. The tarp system of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of bladders configured to be releasably located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and configured for retention of a ballast fluid to provide weighted anchorage for the tarp system on the structure.
 10. The tarp system of claim 8, wherein the set of connectors on the top surface of the flexible tarp are a set of loops configured to receive one of the plurality of bladders.
 11. The tarp system of claim 9, wherein the flexible tarp is rectangular and has four edges, the edges being two sets of two opposite edges.
 12. The tarp system of claim 9, further comprising a second set of connectors located on a central portion of the top surface of the flexible tarp.
 13. The tarp system of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of bladders includes at least one spigot for filling and emptying each of the plurality of bladders.
 14. The tarp system of claim 9, wherein the at least one spigot includes a spigot connector and a release valve.
 15. A tarp system comprising: a flexible tarp for covering a structure, the flexible tarp having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge; the flexible tarp is rectangular and has four edges, the edges being two sets of two opposite edges; a set of first connector portions located on the top surface of the flexible tarp and located on the periphery edge of the flexible tarp; and wherein one of the first connector portions is configured to interlock with one of a second connector portions located on an edge of one of a plurality of bladders.
 16. The tarp system of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of bladders configured to be releasably located on the periphery edge of the flexible tarp and configured for retention of a ballast fluid to provide weighted anchorage for the tarp system on the structure.
 17. The tarp system of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of bladders includes at least one spigot for filling and emptying each of the plurality of bladders.
 18. The tarp system of claim 17, wherein the at least one spigot includes a spigot connector and a release valve. 